Recent News

New Course for Spring- POLS 470: Surfing & the Law
Feb 17, 2023
Paddling out into Law school? Grad school? Nonprofit or advocacy work? Business?

Professor Craig Arceneaux published his book, Political Struggle in Latin: America: Seeking Change in a New Era of Globalization
Feb 13, 2023
In October 2022, Professor Craig Arceneaux published his book, Political Struggle in Latin America: Seeking Change in a New Era of Globalization, through Springer Publishers.

Professor Zhang to Present Her Research of Political Discourse of the Chinese Communist Party this Saturday
Feb 9, 2023
Professor Zhang will be presenting her most recent research at the University Salon (formerly Harvard Salon) this Saturday.

Dr. Lee Epstein- Teaching Law to Political Science Students and Teaching Political Science Students Law
Feb 2, 2023
Dr. Lee Epstein's talk will be about how political scientists, who adopt an empirical approach to studying legal behavior and institutions, teach law differently than law professors do, and why such an approach is superior.

Following the Path to Policy Change
Jan 30, 2023
The Natrual Hazards Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder recently published an interim Quick Response report by Dr. Leanne Giordono about policy change after the 2020 Oregon wildfires.

Become a Capital Fellow
Jan 4, 2023
The Capital Fellows Programs are outstanding opportunities to engage in public service, prepare for a future career, and gain experience under a seasoned mentor.

Cal Poly Collegiate Mock Trial
Dec 12, 2022
When John W. Fricks, the godfather of Mock Trial in San Luis Obispo County suggests to you that you might write an article on Cal Poly collegiate Mock Trial, well then that’s what you do. I’ve had the privilege of being an instructor for Cal Poly’s Political Science Department for the past few years. This 2022-23 season will be my third year as Cal Poly Mock Trial Club’s (“CPMT”) faculty advisor.

Alumni: John Imobersteg
Dec 5, 2022
I started at Cal Poly in Fall 2015 with a major in history. I knew that I had a passion for public service. However, my interests were varied: American history, government, law, and international relations to name a few. I was willing to put in the work to explore these interests.

POLS Student Annie Kettmann Has Won Cal Poly’s Change the World Challenge Award
Nov 1, 2022
Annelise Kettmann
She/her/hers
4th year Political Science, Global Studies
Entrepreneurship & Ethics, Public Policy, Science and Technology
Upon returning from studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain in the fall of 2021, I was eager to jump back into my community and coursework at Cal Poly.

Alumni: Peter Burton
Oct 31, 2022
As a transfer student coming from community college, I didn’t know what to expect when I first arrived on Cal Poly’s campus. I wasn’t even sure if the major I had chosen, political science, was right for me; my academic interests tended to be all over the map, ranging from creative writing to marine biology, and a variety of subjects in between. However, it quickly became clear that I would be free to pursue what interested me most as a political science major.